Ravencoin could roll back four days of transactions after critical block flaw
The Ravencoin blockchain is facing a potential rollback of four days of transactions following a critical software vulnerability. Major mining pools are rebuilding the chain, causing uncertainty for users and exchanges regarding the validity of recent transactions.
Why it matters
This incident highlights the inherent risks in decentralized networks and the potential for significant financial loss when blockchain consensus is compromised.
A blockchain is a running record of transactions, written in batches called blocks and added by miners, who run banks of computers competing to produce the next one. Miners usually work in pools, combining their machines and splitting the proceeds. Whichever version of the record has the most computing power behind it is the one the network treats as real.
The flaw let bad blocks slip into that record on Friday. Two pools that together control most of Ravencoin's computing power are now rebuilding the record from just before the first one appeared, data shows , and if enough miners follow them, everything written since would be replaced.
The consequence is simpler for a user — that a payment that looked complete over the weekend could vanish from Ravencoin's accepted history.
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